Washing of contaminated guide-roll and prevention therefrom in cloth treatments

ABSTRACT

A method of cleaning the surfaces of guiderolls used in treating and processing cloth is comprised of the steps of attaching lengths of guide cloths, which are provided with wiping surfaces on both sides, to lengths of the cloth being processed so that the guide cloth and the cloth being processed are continuously passed over the guiderolls. Dampening at least one or both of the guide cloth and the guiderolls so that the guiderolls are wiped clean as the guide cloths pass over them. Preferably, the guiderolls are reversed from the normal direction of rotation to assist in the cleaning operation.

Unite States Patent Sando et al.

WASHING 0F CONTAMINATED GUIDE-ROLL AND PREVENTION THEREFROM IN CLOTHTREATMENTS Inventors: Yoshikazu Sando, 122-6 Nishihoma;

Hiroshi Ishidoshiro, 469 Wakayro, both 0 Wakayama-ken, Japan 1 Filed:Oct. 13, 1970 Appl. No.: $0,404

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 638,795, May 16, I967.Pat. No. 3,593,353.

Foreign Application Priority Data [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,467,01 l 9/1969 Phleps et al ..1 18/70 Primary ExaminerWilliami. Price Attorney-McGlew and Toren [57] ABSTRACT A method of cleaningthe surfaces of guiderolls used in treating and processing cloth iscomprised of the steps of attaching lengths of guide cloths, which areprovided with wiping surfaces on both sides, to lengths of the clothbeing processed so that the guide cloth and the cloth being processedare continuously passed over the guiderolls. Dampening at least one orboth of the guide cloth and the guiderolls so that the guiderolls arewiped clean as the guide cloths pass over them. Preferably, theguiderolls are reversed from the normal direction of rotation to assistin the cleaning operation.

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INVEN'IgR. vosuumzu snuo BYIHRMH! Isl-005m R0 WWW/7m nrnuevs WASHING OFCONTAMINATED GUIDE-ROLL AND PREVENTION THEREFROM IN CLOTH TREATMENTSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This is a division of application Ser. No.638,795 filed May 16, 1967.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the resin treatment and the die processingof cloth, the cloth is dried or subjected to steaming, and in suchoperations, the guide rolls in he treatment chamber become extremelycontaminated.

In carrying out the resin treatment and the die processing, the cloth ispermeated with the requisite chemical liquid and it is passed through atreatment chamber. Therefore, in both the resin treatment and the dyeprocessing of cloth, the material being used is applied to the cloth. Atthe same time, a part of the resin and the dye adheres to theguiderolls, and, as a consequence, the guiderolls become contaminated.Therefore, in such operations as dyeing, resin treatment, and baking, itoften happens that there is a build up of the material being used on thesurface of the rolls, especially on the parts of the rolls which theselvage parts of the cloth contact. As a result, resin and the othermaterials accumulate in a dry condition, and the processing of the clothis hindered. This occurs because the parts of the rolls over which thecloth passes are not contaminated to any extent while the parts of theroll in contact with the selvage parts of the cloth are readilycontaminated. Further, owing to the sideward deviation of the cloth,undesirable matter which happens to attach itself to such parts, becomesdried and secured to the rolls.

Therefore, guiderolls of this kind require frequent removal of thesurface contamination and such removal is not free from problems becauseit is difficult to perform and requires considerable time. The hotflueroller dryer for adherence and color forming in dyeing is an example,the cloth, padded with the dye stuff, enters into the non-touch dryer orthe roller dryer for intermediate drying, where the cloth is dried andwhen the drying reaches a moisture percentage of less than 32 percent,removal of the dyestuff stops and then the dyes'tuff adheres to thecloth.

During this process, the dyestufi adheres also to the rolls and some ofthese guiderolls become thoroughly contaminated.

Although these contaminated rolls can be wiped clean when they are hotand giving off plenty of moisture, however, this wiping is normallyperformed by an operator entering into the treatment chamber and, as aresult, the temperature in the chamber must be lowered. This temperaturelowering action increases the adhesion power of the contaminating matterand makes it difficult to remove stains. Consequently, it takes a longtime to clean the guiderolls. (Conventionally, it has required l-4hours.)

After the color change is completed, the temperature is raised to apredetermined level and the processing is begun. However, in thisprocess a working efficiency of only about percent can be obtained. Evenif the processing is performed at the risk of the generation of colordifference, by regulating the processing speed in accordance with therising temperature to increase the efficiency, the efficiency thusobtained is as low as percent.

Nevertheless, when, according to various specifications,

color changes are required as often as 15 times a day, efiicien cy ofabout 30 percent cannot be obtained by the above timeconsuming process.There is also the case where the operation of the machine is regulatedin consideration of the treatment of the cloth, so that dyeingoperations may be performed from a lightly dyed cloth to a deeply dyedone to afford a continuous treatment.

Buteven in such a case, provided that the process is suitably set,though the working efficiency may be partly improved, yet the totalefficiency still remains low.

Further, contamination of the rolls used in such a continuous treatmentis so severe that it requires at least some 4 hours to perform thewiping operation.

Moreover, in getting rid of the stains on the rolls, emery paper isusually used, however, such paper scratches the surface of the rolls andresults in an increase of the roll contamination.

Further, in getting rid of its contamination, the roll is injured due tothe necessity of workmen climbing on the roll to perform the wipingoperation.

This invention is made as a result of research on a method wherein, inthe high temperature chamber, automatic washing and wiping of the rollis performed in 2-3 minutes, with an object of overcoming such defectsas unevenness of the products and loss of time, and the further objectof decreasing labor cost, and simultaneously increasing efficiency.

According to the present invention, the cloth of each lot is connectedwith a guide cloth coated on both its surfaces with sponge rubber sothat it is able to retain considerable amounts of water and, in washing,when changing of the color is effected, this guide cloth is also soakedwith water and is placed in contact with the rolls, and is passedthrough the treatment chamber at the same speed as in the ordinarytreatment operatron.

Whilethe guide cloth (blanket) enters into the chamber, and passes overthe guiderolls, the guiderolls are successively reversed so that whenone guideroll completes its reversing action, the succeeding guide rollbegins its reversing action. The reversing of the guiderolls is carriedout in a successive manner at definite intervals.

To increase the wiping efficiency, it is useful to furnish the adheringmatter on the rolls with moisture and such material is made more easilyremovable by providing a vapor jet pipe at the position surrounded bythe guide cloth (blanket).

In the present invention, the conventional problems are avoided by theuse of such a guide cloth, and the actual working efiiciency can beincreased up to -95 percent. Further in the present invention, theprocessing is made continuous by connecting the cloth being treated witha special guide cloth so that the treatment operation can be continuedwithout interruption at each color change.

This is very advantageous in the case of various color arrangements.

The length of the guide cloth is sufficient, if it is long enough forthe wiping to be completed; a length of m is enough if the treatmentspeed is GOm/minute to complete the wiping in 2 minutes and a length ofm is enough if wiping requires 3 minutes.

Now, the above disclosure is concerned with the hotflue roller dryer incontinuous dye processing, however, the case is quite the same for usewith the roll in the steaming chamber of a pad steamer in the samecontinuous dye processing, and it is also efiective for the roll in thedry chamber in the continuous resin treatment, or for the roll in thebaking (or curing) machine chamber in dyeing or in resin treatment.

Sufiicient washing effect is obtained by the washing method where thedirection of rotation of the roll is reversed and sponges are attachedto both surfaces of a guide cloth positioned in contact with the roll,or by passing an guide cloth, specially soaked with water through thecontaminated rolls.

A water spring apparatus, for example, is provided at the entrance tothe dryer to supply water to the guide cloth. Especially in the case ofwiping the roll in the continuous high pressure steamer and the like, itinvolves a sizable loss of time and therrnoeconomy to keep the chamberat a high pressure at one time and then to lower the pressure and thetemperature in the chamber for effecting the wiping action and then toincrease the pressure and the temperature.

Contrary to this, the wiping method of the present invention using aguide cloth will enable the treatment to be carried out in a short timeat a constant high temperature and with good results.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent the contaminationof the roll surfaces by dye material, resin and other matter by keepingthe surface temperature of the roll close to the temperature of the dewpoint of the atmosphere in the vicinity of the roll by passing a heatingmedium, such as water, heated air and the like, within the guide rollsto produce moisture just below the dew point on the surface of the roll.

The reason for maintaining the temperature on the surface of the rollclose to the temperature of the dew point is that when the surface isheated above the temperature of the dew point, the contaminating mattersticks to the surface in a dry condition, and when it is cooled to atemperature less than the dew point, dew is produced and the resultingtreated cloth would be unsatisfactory.

When the temperature on the surface of the roll is kept close to thetemperature of the dew point, the surface of the roll is always in a wetcondition and is maintained free from contaminants and the dew pointmoisture on the surface of the roll will not decrease the dryingefficiency in the cloth processing operation. This occurs because theinterior of the processing chamber shows considerable humidity eventhough dew is not produced. Also, when dirt adheres to the surface ofthe roll, especially to the roll parts contacted by the selvage portionsof the cloth, it can easily be wiped off as the occasion demands.

Further, in the practice of the invention, if the surface of the guideroll is coated with a hard chrome plating to form a film thereon and togive a good mold releasing effect and to prevent surface injury, it willbe more advantageous.

Conventionally, as the guideroll of this kind, a stainless steel roll orthe like is used.

Further, the present invention offers a novel liquid bucket for theliquid dye which is absorbed into the cloth in the continuous dyeingprocess.

In conventional dyeing apparatus, the equipment has been stopped at eachcolor change during dyeing, therefore, it has required considerable timeto clean the interior of the liquid dye bucket. In this case, stoppingthe equipment (that is the continuous dyeing apparatus) means stoppingnot only the liquid bucket, but also stopping the subsequent dryingmachine.

In case the drying machine is stopped in this manner, it follows thateither the temperature is increased or lowered. In either case, a heatloss will result.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the abovedifficulties and to provide a novel liquid tank having an opening at itsbottom or a reversing means for enabling the removal of the liquid dye,the washing of the tank, and the addition of fresh liquid in a shorttime.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this specification.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantagesand specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to theaccompanying drawings in which there is illustrated and described apreferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a section of a guide cloth having a blanket-like form;

FIG. 2 is a section in a hotflue chamber furnished with washing waterjets or vapor jet pipes;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the relationship between the vapor jet pipesand the guide rolls and showing the vapor generating pipe line system;

FIG. 4 shows the driving means for the guiderolls;

FIG. 5 shows a front view, partly in section, of a guideroll used in thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 shows a side section of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a controlling system employed in the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show side and front views of wiping devices according tothe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a wiping device; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 show vertical sections of alternate liquid tankarrangements, according to the present invention, containing the liquiddye which penetrates into the cloth in the continuous dye processing ofthe cloth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows a section of aspecial guide cloth C (blanket) as aforesaid, where the width of theguide cloth is equal to the working width of the guideroll, and theguide cloth is made capable of wiping from one end to the other of theroll. Further, the guide cloth is coated on both sides with spongymaterials D or similar materials which are effective in wiping the rollswhile avoiding injury to their surfaces.

FIG. 2 shows a hot flue roller dryer provided with vapor jet pipes,wherein 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 represent the upper and lower guiderolls and6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 represent jet pipes.

Each jet nozzle is fitted to blow moistened adhesive materialperpendicularly to the guide cloth or to the surface of the roll.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the rolls and the pipes, and thevapor generating pipe line, with l, 2, 3, 4, and 5 representing theguide rolls and 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 representing the jet pipes.

Piping 11, shown partly in dot-dash lines in FIG. 3, represents a pipearrangement for connecting the pipes 6 to 10. 13 shows a vapor valve. 14shows the system wherein the vapor is spouted from an injector 12 to thepipe, regulating the opening degree in the water valve in such a waythat more or less moist vapor is generated.

FIG. 4 shows a method of driving the guideroll l-5, wherein each roll isdriven by a torque motor M with a potential regulator, and the rollsusually rotate in the normal manner, but in changing color they arereversed from one to another in a successive manner, by pushing anindicating button for reversal of rotation through a timer or relay.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the guideroll A, wherein the hotwater pipe 22 isinserted through the hollow roll body 21 with both ends closed, and inthe pipe 22 situated in the interior of the roll 21, there arepenetrating holes 23 suitably spaced, and at the same time, penetratingholes 23 are also bored in a partition 24 which divides the interior ofthe roll 21 so that hot water flows through the pipe 22 in the directionmarked by the arrows and enters between the roll 21 and the pipe 22through the penetrating holes 23, 23' and heats the surface of the roll21.

FIG. 7 shows a controlling system in case the guideroll is arranged in adryer chamber, wherein by means of a dew point detector, the temperatureof the dew point in the drying chamber is detected, and by controllingthe signal air which is supplied into the record regulator, the signalconveyed by No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 signal lines regulates thetemperature of the heater in the drying chamber, the exhaust volume ofthe exhaust fan connected to the dryer, and the temperature of the hotwater flowing into the guideroll (not shown), respectively. Thus, bymeans of this controlling system, the temperature on the surface of theguideroll is kept at the temperature of the dew point of the air in thedrying chamber. In case, the guideroll is arranged outside the chamber,the temperature of the dew point of the air in the vicinity of thesurface of the guideroll is detected, and the temperature of the hotwater flowing into the guide roll may be kept at the temperature of thedew point thereof.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 9 disclose wiping devices which are supplementallyused, where the left and right wiping rolls B are arranged adjacent tothe guideroll A in which hot water flows and these wiping rolls aremounted on roll arms 26 having a center 25, and by revolving the rollarms the wiping rolls are moved into contact with the part of the roll Awhich the selvage of the cloth contacts, and thus the surface of theroll A can be wiped out as the occasion demands.

The roll B comprises a pipe 27 on which a sponge layer 28 is wound andwashing water circulated through'the pipe so that moisture is given tothe sponge layer 28 through the penetrating holes 29. By pressing theroll B in the wet condition against the guideroll A, stains on thesurface of the guideroll are wiped off.

Meanwhile, instead of the wiping device as mentioned above, the wipingof the guideroll may be effected by passing a guide cloth, having asponge layer and positioned between each cloth lot or length, over thesurface of the guideroll at the change of color in the dyeing operation.

As disclosed above, as contamination of the surface of the guideroll iseffectively prevented, satisfactory products can be obtained, thuscontributing to an improvement in quality, and making long continuousoperation of the treatment process possible, with an improvement inworking efficiency up to 90-95 percent.

Even when dirt happens to adhere to the surface of the guide roll, itcan be eliminated easily by wiping without stopping the apparatus, thusensuring economy of heat.

Next, an explanation shall be made of the liquid tank for applyingdyeing liquid to the cloth. In FIG. and FIG. 11, the cloth 31 entersinto the liquid 39 and leaves after passing over a guideroll 34 affixedunder the spacer 35.

In changing the liquid in FIG. 10, a liquid tank 32 and a spacer 35 areaffixed, and only a bottom cover 33 is revolved around a joint 37 by anair cylinder 30 or by some similar mechanism, thereby the liquid isremoved from the tank.

A connection 38 is shown between the piston of the air cylinder 30 andthe bottom cover 33.

The fixed tank 32, the spacer 35, and the bottom cover 33 can be washed,respectively, by sprinkling washing water from the shower pipe 36.

FIG. 1 1 shows an apparatus arranged in such a way that the whole liquidtank 32 is tilted, and removal of the dyeing liquid, washing andreplacement of the dyeing liquid can be effected in a similar way asshown in FIG. 10.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of continuously treating cloth, such as a continuous resintreatment and a continuous dyeing operation,

comprising connecting in an alternating manner lengths of cloth to betreated and guide cloths, providing a wiping surface on each of thefaces of the guide cloths, passing the lengths of cloths to be treatedand the guide cloths over guide rollers in the treatment chamber whereinthe cloth treatment is performed as the guide rollers rotate in a givendirection, dampening at least one of the guide cloth and the guiderollers in preparation for contacting the guide cloth and the guiderollers, wiping the surface of the guide rollers with the guide clothand during the wipening step consecutively reversing the direction ofrotation of the guide rollers as the guide cloth passes in wipingrelationship therewith commencing with the first guide roller to becontacted by the guide cloth and reversing the rotation of each rollerin turn as the preceeding roller completes its reversing action so thatthe guide rollers are washed by the wiping contact with the guide clothduring the continuous treatment of the cloth.

2. A method of cleaning the surface of rotating guide rollers in thecontinuous treatment of cloth, such as continuous resin treatment andcontinuous dyeing, comprising the steps of providing lengths of guidecloth each with a pair of opposite wiping surfaces, securing the lengthsof guide cloth in an alternate serial arrangement with lengths of thecloth to be treated, passing the cloth to be treated and the guidecloths continuously over the surfaces of the guide rolls, and dampeningat least one of the guide cloths and the guide rollers and wiping theguide rollers with the guide cloths for cleaning the surfaces of theguide rollers.

3. A method, as set forth in claim 2, characterized by the step ofreversing the direction of rotation of the guide rollers as the guidecloth passes over the guide rollers for carrying out the cleanin of theguide rollers.

4. A met od, as set forth in claim 2, characterized therein by reversingthe direction of rotation of the guide rollers in a successive mannerstarting with the first guide roller to be contacted by the guide clothand when a preceeding guide roller has completed its reversing actioncommencing the reversing action of the next succeeding guide roller ofthe guide rollers to be cleaned.

2. A method of cleaning the surface of rotating guide rollers in thecontinuous treatment of cloth, such as continuous resin treatment andcontinuous dyeing, comprising the steps of providing lengths of guidecloth each with a pair of opposite wiping surfaces, securing the lengthsof guide cloth in an alternate serial arrangement with lengths of thecloth to be treated, passing the cloth to be treated and the guidecloths continuously over the surfaces of the guide rolls, and dampeningat least one of the guide cloths and the guide rollers and wiping theguide rollers with the guide cloths for cleaning the surfaces of theguide rollers.
 3. A method, as set forth in claim 2, characterized bythe step of reversing the direction of rotation of the guide rollers asthe guide cloth passes over the guide rollers for carrying out thecleaning of the guide rollers.
 4. A method, as set forth in claim 2,characterized therein by reversing the direction of rotation of theguide rollers in a successive manner starting with the first guideroller to be contacted by the guide cloth and when a preceeding guideroller has completed its reversing action commencing the reversingaction of the next succeeding guide roller of the guide rollers to becleaned.